By Margaret Guelzow, Head of Client Experience
The early days of 2025 have been marked by transformative M&A announcements that underscore the growing importance of flexible workspaces in the real estate sector. CBRE’s $800 million acquisition of Industrious and Yardi’s dual purchases of Deskpass and Hubble building on Yardi’s landmark move in late 2024 to acquire a majority stake in WeWork for $450 million as part of the company’s bankruptcy exit. Together, these developments led by major leaders in the industry signal a decisive pivot toward a flex space-dominated future.
CBRE’s move to acquire the remaining 60% stake in Industrious illustrates how major players are reshaping their portfolios to prioritize flex space. By fully integrating Industrious into its service offerings, CBRE is betting on a future where workspace agility and hybrid solutions are the new norm.
Yardi’s acquisition of WeWork, along with its subsequent purchases of Deskpass (US) and Hubble (UK), represents a pivotal moment for the flex space industry. By taking majority ownership of WeWork during its bankruptcy exit, Yardi is uniquely positioned to combine WeWork’s expansive global footprint with its powerful technology platforms, creating a seamless integration of operations and innovation. Yardi is setting a new standard for how technology and operations can converge to make flex space not just viable but essential for the future of work.
These acquisitions point to several key trends shaping the flex space market:
The flex space sector is experiencing a perfect storm of market conditions driving growth. CBRE’s analysis reveals that employees desire flexibility in their work environments, with 85% of global respondents preferring to work remotely at least two to three days a week. This preference has made flexible office spaces a critical component of modern corporate real estate strategies, enabling organizations to remain agile and responsive in a dynamic work landscape (Source: here).
These moves highlight key imperatives for players in the real estate sector:
2025 has already established itself as a transformative year for flex space. The combined efforts of CBRE, Yardi, and other key players are reshaping the industry, moving it toward a future where flexibility, technology, and global reach are the hallmarks of success.
As these companies redefine the competitive landscape, the flex space market is poised to expand rapidly, offering new opportunities for innovation and growth. The question is no longer whether flex space will dominate the future of real estate – it’s how quickly and decisively industry leaders can adapt to this new reality.
Margaret Guelzow is a seasoned real estate technology executive, with extensive experience in global business technology and asset services. As Cherre’s Head of Client Experience, she leverages her deep industry insights and strategic expertise to ensure the company’s product development remains tightly aligned with customer needs and industry challenges.